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Supreme Leader attends `Eid al-Fitr Dinner

SUPREME
Islamic authority Shaykh al-Islam wal Muslimeen Dr Muhammad Tahir al-Qadri joined
co-workers at an `Eid al-Fitr dinner in London, United Kingdom on Sunday 5th October
2008. The dinner was held to mark the end of the sacred Islamic month of fasting
and to celebrate the feast of al-Fitr. The event also attended by: Mufti al-Asr
al-Shaykh Mujahid al-Chawdary of Bangladesh, Imam Muhammad Sadiq al-Qurayshi of
Minhaj al-Quran centre in Newham, al-Haj Sufi Muhammad Aslam of Upton Park, Ishtiaq
Ahmad president of Minhaj al-Quran centre in Newham and al-Shaykh Abu Adam al-Shirraz
al-Elahi of Leicester.

Dr Muhammad Tahir al-Qadri arrived on an unofficial visit to the United Kingdom
whilst on route to Canada. Dr Tahir al-Qadri is expected to depart from the UK on
Monday after arriving from a ten day spiritual retreat in the city of Lahore in
Pakistan. The spiritual retreat held in the last ten days of the sacred Islamic
month of Ramadan is said to have attracted some 50,000 people. On record it is said
to be the largest annual spiritual retreat after the sacred sanctuaries of Makkah
al-Mukkarrama and Medina al-Munawwara.

Founder and Patron in Chief of Minhaj al-Quran International organisation Shaykh
al-Islam Dr Tahir al-Qadri said: “Ramadan is a time for us through both obligatory
and supererogatory worship to improve our spiritual being and to use our will power
to control our vain desires and to suppress our lower ego.” He also said: “I would
like to thank the Mutakafeen that took part in the religious retreat and to everyone
who extended their generous help and support from across the world.”

Forty
individuals of various backgrounds: Pakistani, Egyptian, Bangladeshi and Mauritanian
observed the ten day religious retreat at the Minhaj al-Quran International centre
on Romford Road in Forest Gate. Some of whom are said to have observed blessed visions
of the sacred Prophet (peace be upon him). Chairman of the organisation’s National
Executive Council Shaykh Shirraz al-Elahi told listeners: “This year’s annual retreats
at our centres throughout the country exceeded normal or average figures then previous
years.” He also said: “All attendances were broken during the holy month of Ramadan
and on the night of Laylat al-Qadr – Night of Power. All records of donations were
broken in history since the organisation’s establishment in the United Kingdom”

Chief organiser of Al-Hidayah – The Guidance Educational and Residential Retreat,
Dr Zahid Iqbal said: “It would be fair for me to say; to describe the spiritual
retreat in Lahore is something difficult to put in words. Words alone are difficult
to describe what I would like say.” He added: “However what I would like to say,
I am honoured, someone sinful like me has had the unique opportunity to observe
the ten days retreat and expiate for my sins.” Dr Zahid Iqbal a medical consultant
by profession observed the ten day religious retreat in Pakistan and had the spiritual
association of Shaykh al-Islam Tahir al-Qadri. Dr Zahid Iqbal returned to the UK
on Friday, Dr Iqbal said: “The lectures of Shaykh al-Islam were truly wonderful
lectures that covered all topics” He added: “They were breath taking lectures. It
is truly a wonderful experience. I would like to thank the organisers of this `Eid
party”. His Excellency Dr Muhammad Tahir al-Qadri is said to have delivered vast
lectures on: women’s rights, men’s rights, the rights of parents and blood relatives.

Mufti
wal Faqih al-`Asr ash-Shaykh Mujahid al-Chawdary of Bangladesh, told listeners:
“I asked myself where should I go and pray during this holy month of Ramadan and
Allah Almighty brought me here at door of the holy presence of Shaykh al-Islam Tahir
al-Qadri. I beseeched Allah to make for me a al-Wasila – a means of approach and
verily Allah the Most Gracious has provided me with this means of approach unto
Him.” Mufti Mujahid al-Chawdary is the author of numerous books on contemporary
Islamic topics in the Bangladeshi language. His most famous book: “Milad-e-Benazir”
written on commemorating the Mawlid al-Nabi had the forward to the book written
by Shaykh al-Islam Tahir al-Qadri whilst his holiness was in al-Hijaz performing
al-Umra – the minor pilgrimage. Mufti Chawdary presented a bouquet of flowers and
a copy of his book: “Milad-e-Benazir” to Dr Tahir al-Qadri upon his arrival at the
event. Dr Qadri warm heartedly embraced Mufti Chawdary and received the gifts, Dr
Qadri said: “Marhaba – Welcome! Marhaba – Welcome! Mashallah – God’s Wish!”

Coordinator of the Muslim Youth Forum in London, Muhammad Muzzamil told the audience
the youth had raised a substantial amount of money for the youth organisation collated
through the sales of DVD lectures and literatures of Dr Muhammmad Tahir al-Qadri.
Several or more stalls were set up to cover the entire span of East London on the
sacred Laylat al-Qadr Night of Power. One individual professed life membership of
Minhaj al-Quran International organisation after watching a DVD lecture of the organisation’s
founder and leader.